The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
(NCCAM), a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH),
will host the first of two Strategic Planning Stakeholder Forums
seeking public input for its second 5-year strategic plan. The Center
is interested in hearing from a variety of stakeholders about their
views of the opportunities, challenges, and areas of emphasis in
research concerning complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).

When:

Monday, March 22, 2004, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., at the Natcher
Conference Center (Building 45) at the NIH in Bethesda, MD.

Why:

NCCAM's mission is to explore complementary and
alternative medicine in the context of rigorous science, train
researchers, and disseminate information. To date, our work
has been guided by the Center's first strategic plan, Expanding
Horizons of Healthcare. Now as NCCAM marks its 5th anniversary,
it is time to build on the research foundation it has established
and plan for the next 5 years. NCCAM seeks guidance from the
public, health care professionals, researchers, scientists,
advocacy groups, and others with an interest in CAM research
in identifying areas in which NCCAM investments can have the
greatest impact.

NCCAM is dedicated to exploring complementary and alternative
healing practices in the context of rigorous science, training CAM
researchers, and disseminating authoritative information to the
public and professionals. For additional information, call NCCAM's
Clearinghouse toll free at 1-888-644-6226 or visit NCCAM's Web site
at nccam.nih.gov.